Madhya Pradesh had the edge over Bengal as they restricted the visitors to 200 for six after being bundled out 342 in their Group A Ranji Trophy match in Indore on Sunday.
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At stumps on day two, Bengal trailed the hosts by another 142 runs, with Abhishek Jhunjhunwala batting resolutely on 41 at the Holkar Cricket Stadium.
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After pacer Shami Ahmed, who returned impressive figures of seven for 79, helped Bengal take the remaining five Madhya Pradesh wickets for addition of just 20 runs, the visitors seemed a relieved lot.
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There was, however, disappointment in store for Bengal as they were off to a disastrous start, losing three wickets with just 19 on the board.
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Two more wickets fell before they got to 100, but skipper Wriddhiman Saha stood fort, helping his team to a cross the follow-on.
Saha's knock of 87 contained 11 fours and a six and it came off 186 balls.
Writam Porel (30) was the other Bengal batsman to have reached the double digits.
For Madhya Pradesh, Ishwar Pandey took 3/55 while Anand Rajan had 2/62. There was also a wicket for Devendra Bundela, who had scored 61 yesterday in his 100th match.
Brief scores:
Madhya Pradesh: 342 all out in 103 overs (Naman Ojha 99, Devendra Bundela 61, Udit Birla 50 Jalaj Saxena 49; Shami Ahmed 7/79)
Bengal: 200 for six in 74.5 overs (Wriddhiman Saha 87, Abhishek Jhunjhunwala 41 batting; Ishwar Pandey 3/55, Anand Rajan 2/62).
